To take the Basic Assessment you should have managed at least one colony of bees for a minimum of 12 months. As the BBKA say, it can seem daunting when you look at the syllabus, but if you think about it, if you have had your bees for a year, then you will have covered everything on the syllabus . We run a revision course really so you dot the ‘I’s’ and remind yourself of all you know. We also include apiary sessions and a mock assessment. Any assessor at your association who knows your beekeeping is unable to take your assessment, but that means they are free to run you through the assessment as part of your training.
The assessment is divided into 4 sections:
- Manipulation and Equipment (practical)
- Natural History and Beekeeping (oral)
- Swarming, Swarm Control and Effects (oral)
- Disease and Pests (oral)
The pass mark is 50% for each section with a credit awarded for 75% and distinction for over 90%.
Don’t be put off, the assessors really want you to pass (the pass rate is 97% ) and it is really a learning assessment over a chat.
